Around the Empire: Yankees news - 9/2/2020

NY Post | Sports Desk: The Yankees’ second victory of the season against the Rays was marred by a little spat at the end of the game. The Rays took exception to an Aroldis Chapman fastball that went just above the head of Mike Brosseau, and the two benches briefly cleared after the final out. Earlier, in the very first inning, Masahiro Tanaka hit Joey Wendle with a pitch as well, and he believed that it was intentional. These two teams clearly don’t like each other, but if your evidence is an erratic Chapman pitching in his third game back from a long layoff missing badly once and one of the Yankees’ nicest players in Tanaka plunking a guy — you’re grasping for straws.

MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Prior to Tuesday night’s game, the Yankees got some more reinforcements with Zack Britton returning. Britton was a perfect eight-for-eight in save opportunities filling in for Chapman before he had to be added to the IL, and he returned to pitch a perfect eighth inning in the Yankees’ 5-3 win. Welcome back, Zack.

NY Daily News | Kristie Ackert: One other highlight from Tuesday was Gary Sanchez playing as the designated hitter. Aaron Boone said that was something that the team could do from time to time now that they’re carrying three catchers. Kyle Higashioka returned from the IL, and Erik Kratz was already on the roster alongside Sanchez. Playing part time at DH could be a way to get Sanchez out of his season-long slump, though the team may not have the luxury of having all three catchers for the rest of the season.

NJ.com | Brendan Kuty: Gerrit Cole hasn’t been in dominant form all season. A big factor in that has been the consistent home runs he’s given up, and that’s something that even the Yankees don’t have an explanation for. Not yet, at least. Cole is working through several adjustments that could prevent the long ball from sailing on his pitches, and it would be a big improvement if he finds it soon.